Rodgers undergoes surgery on his broken collarbone
GREEN BAY – Quarterback Aaron Rodgers underwent surgery Thursday to repair his broken collarbone, according to a source, setting in motion a recovery the Green Bay Packers hope will include a return to the playing field this season.
NFL Network reported the news first.
Rodgers broke his right collarbone in the first quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings after absorbing a hit from linebacker Anthony Barr, landing hard on his right side. He quickly was evaluated in the blue medical tent along the sideline before riding to the locker room on a cart.
The Packers announced the broken collarbone early in the third quarter, adding the caveat that he may miss the remainder of the season. There is still a chance Rodgers could return for the latter stages of the regular season, and at the moment he remains on the Packers’ 53-man roster. But coach Mike McCarthy told reporters this week that Rodgers had suffered a serious injury and would be sidelined indefinitely.
“He’ll be out a minimum — a significant amount of time and potentially the season could be over,” McCarthy said Monday. “So, he’ll have surgery here in the near future and after we see how that goes. We’ll focus on get-
ting Aaron healthy. That’s all that really matters right now.”
With the surgery complete, the Packers can begin formulating a timetable for recovery and make their roster decisions accordingly. Nothing had been announced as of Thursday evening, and it’s also unclear where the procedure took place or who performed the surgery.
Teammates said Rodgers was in good spirits this week despite his absence from the facility.
“I think (he’s doing) pretty good for the situation,” wide receiver Jordy Nelson said. “Obviously what I experienced two years ago, I kind of understand what he’s going through. I think he kind of reacted similar to it. You’re a little upset to begin with (as it all hits you) and then obviously still dealing with pain and the injury.
“So I think whatever his schedule is and when he’s getting things done, I think that will be another big step. Then you kind of get over the hump and see the light at the end of the tunnel type thing. But I talked to him on Monday and Tuesday, so I was actually happy with the way he’s handling everything because it can wear on us too when you see someone down. So I think it’s big that he keeps a smile on his face, even if it’s fake.”
Matthews has issue with hit: A love tap. That’s what Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews said he gives opposing quarterbacks.
Matthews knows his reputation with fans of other teams. He doesn’t deny his appreciation for a good hit on the quarterback. It’s how defenders finish that hit, Matthews said, that determines whether it is legal.
“A love tap,” Matthews said.
What Barr did to Rodgers on Sunday? Not a love tap, Matthews said. The six-time Pro Bowl player said Barr should’ve received a penalty for his hit on Rodgers.
“After seeing it,” Matthews said, “I was surprised that he wasn’t flagged. Simply because I’ve been hitting quarterbacks for almost a decade now, and generally when you see a quarterback get rid of the ball, you’re allowed to give him a shot, show that you pulled up on him. But obviously more is going to be made out of it simply because our quarterback broke his collarbone.”
Matthews joined a long line of Packers who took issue with Barr’s hit. McCarthy said earlier this week he didn’t like the hit. Veteran outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks said Barr shouldn’t have driven Rodgers into the ground, while right guard Jahri Evans said he expected the Packers will submit the play to the league.
It’s unclear whether Barr will be fined, but Matthews said it crossed a line. His perspective is interesting, because Matthews is known around the league for having a history of questionable hits. Perhaps most notably, Matthews hit former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick out of bounds in the 2013 opener.
Matthews also leveled Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson with a blindside block after an interception in the 2014 NFC Championship Game.
“I’m not going to go as far as to say hits are dirty,” Matthews said, “because I’m sure plenty of fans from all sorts of teams have said the same thing about me. it’s unfortunate it happened, but surprised that there wasn’t a flag.
“Obviously, I’m going to say I would’ve pulled off on that, but if that was their quarterback, I think it’s at the statute of limitations where you need to pull off.”
Intense study: It was just one week, but when he was with the New Orleans Saints last season, backup quarterback Joe Callahan did everything he could to learn from Drew Brees.
The Saints claimed Callahan on waivers Oct. 14, 2016, after the Packers cut him and immediately began teaching him their system. Callahan was cut eight days later, but he came away more knowledgeable than he was before.
“I made sure I was following Drew around all day long and kind of sticking to his schedule,” said Callahan, who was signed to the Packers’ 53-man roster this week. “I tried to ask as many questions as I could, learn from him as much as I could without distracting him from his routine and his studying.”
In a matter of months, Callahan went from Division III quarterback to being in the same room with Rodgers and then Brees. He said he has taken a lot of notes along the way.
“Being in a locker room with Aaron and then getting a chance to see how Drew does things, as a rookie you can’t ask for much more or two better guys to learn from,” Callahan said.
Long road ahead: Cornerback Quinten Rollins suffered an Achilles’ tendon tear against the Vikings and was put on the injured reserve list.
His position coach, Joe Whitt, had to try to find the words to comfort Rollins after suffering such a devastating injury.
“There’s nothing I’m going to say that’s going to make him feel better,” Whitt said. “That’s a hard injury to have. That’s usually, typically, a year injury. So, it’s unfortunate.
“But that happens in this game, so you have to accept it, rehab, come back. He’s a hard-working young man. I don’t question his ability to come back and push through like he always has.”
Injury update: The Packers’ injury report Thursday was almost identical to the day before, with one exception: Brooks did not practice.
Brooks was limited Wednesday, but his back injury forced him to miss Thursday’s padded practice. Brooks was one of five players who missed practice, joined on the active roster by Rodgers (collarbone), left guard Lane Taylor (ankle), safety Morgan Burnett (quad) and inside linebacker Joe Thomas (ankle).
Among players limited at practice were left tackle David Bakhtiari (hamstring) and right tackle Bryan Bulaga (concussion). Bulaga has not yet cleared concussion protocol, but his participation in the padded practice signified he’s moving in the right direction. Cornerbacks Davon House (quad) and Damarious Randall (hamstring) as well as outside linebacker Nick Perry (hand/knee) also were limited.
Rookie outside linebacker Vince Biegel had the first padded practice of his career. Although still on the physically unable to perform list while returning from a broken foot, Biegel was a full participant. Cornerback Kevin King (concussion) and running back Ty Montgomery (ribs) also were full participants.
The Packers listed 14 players on their injury report Thursday. In a startling comparison of overall team health, the New Orleans Saints listed only two. Tackle Terron Armstead (shoulder) and receiver Willie Snead (hamstring) were limited.